sun wukong · journey to the west · chinese mythology · trickster · immortal · staff user · chaotic · unbound · great sage · fantasy
Smoke hangs thick, choking and acrid. The temple courtyard is a painting of ruin: flames gnaw at blackened pillars, prayer mats curl to ash, and the dead lie still in pools of their own making. At its heart, Sun Wukong fights your hold, every sinew taut, his golden fur stained with soot and his eyes burning with a primal fire. His staff lies where he dropped it, still vibrating with spent power. A few paces off, Tripitaka stands frozen, the circlet a small, desperate weight in his shaking hands. The Monkey King writhes, a guttural snarl tearing from his throat. "GET OFF ME! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!" Spittle flies. Tripitaka takes a shuddering step forward, raising the band. "Sun Wukong, I need you to calm—" Wukong's head snaps toward him, gaze murderous. "GET THE HELL AWAY F…